100 books like Audrey at Home

The names Audrey Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy are inextricably linked. Their union transformed the bond between two industries: fashion and film. This book wasn’t just a reference source for me; it has been a point of inspiration since it first arrived in my library many years ago.

I am a longstanding admirer of Givenchy and his timeless creations. His legacy is a testament to his dedication to quality construction, clean lines, and unique details. This book is an intimate look into Hubert’s life narrated in his own words and told through stunning photos showcasing his beautiful clothes and his ornately decorated homes. Each page makes it more evident why Audrey and Hubert weren’t just friends but fashion soulmates. 

When I was brainstorming the outline for my book, I knew from the outset that I wanted to explore Audrey’s noteworthy friendships, including the larger-than-life luminary Diana Vreeland. Diana transformed the way the general public saw fashion. During her time at Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue her influence was seen on every page, from the creative backdrops, to the imaginative themes, to her vibrant use of color.

This book by Eleanor Dwight beautifully captures the true essence of Vreeland. Dwight navigates Vreeland’s journey with glamorous photos that are grounded by her elegant narrative. It goes without saying that Diana was more than a footnote in Audrey’s life. She was a friend, an admirer, and a collaborator.  

Audrey filmed seven movies in Paris, three of which were directed by the multi-talented Stanley Donen. When they first worked on Funny Face, Audrey was twenty-seven, and Donen was thirty-two.

Their five-year age gap allowed for an ease between the two colleagues, which would manifest into a friendship spanning over 30 years. In fact, Audrey wrote a touching introduction to Dancing on the Ceiling. Silverman wonderfully chronicles Donen’s life in films during the golden age of Hollywood at a time when movie musicals were still box office hits. Best of all, the book covers all three of Audrey and Donen’s collaborations: Funny Face, Charade, and Two for the Road.  

This book is mouthwatering! Readers might be surprised to learn that Audrey met Avedon at the very start of her career. After she was discovered by Colette in 1951, Audrey sailed to New York to begin rehearsals for Gigi. In New York, donning her Gigi costume, Audrey was photographed by Avedon for the first time. Their friendship in front and behind the camera would blossom over the years, and in 1956, Audrey would star in the movie musical Funny Face, loosely based on Avedon’s life at Harper’s Bazaar.

Avedon’s genius is brilliantly highlighted in this visual biography. Avedon Fashion chronicles Avedon’s career with stunning fashion photographs and celebrity portraits, including memorable black and white shots of Audrey. This book grabs you from the moment you set eyes on the brightly colored cover. 

To me, the star of this novel is the witty banter between the characters and the super sexy will-they-or-won’t-they tension.

The main character is a divorced journalist who writes an in-depth profile about a very well-known actor. I particularly enjoyed how normal seeming the female main character was, and yet it was highly believable that the male actor would find her deeply attractive and interesting.

Just the way a true romance should be!

A novel about Marlene Dietrich held a natural attraction for me, as Dietrich was one of Dolores del Río’s close friends in Hollywood. Gortner paints a vivid picture of decadence in pre-War Berlin, where Dietrich finds work in music halls. There, she meets Joseph von Sternberg, who casts her as the lead of The Blue Angel, the film that launches her career. As antisemitism grows in Germany, von Sternberg, who is Jewish, leaves for Hollywood, and Dietrich follows him. Paramount Pictures finds in her the answer to MGM’s sexy Swedish star, Greta Garbo, and casts her in one hit after the other. When Hitler approaches her to make propaganda films for the Nazis, Dietrich courageously rebuffs him, opting instead to become an American citizen and entertain Allied troops. 

I finished this novel quickly as the story and writing are engaging.

I knew something of Hedy Lamarr’s wartime efforts and intelligence going in, but this story shed much more light on the woman and highlighted the difficulties she faced.

I recommend it for readers who enjoy historical fiction, WW2 stories, and novels about strong women.

Audrey Hepburn was a little lady with the biggest heart.

I loved this book so much that I’ve reread it several times. I was hooked from the start to the finish, from her childhood in war-torn Europe to her work as a goodwill ambassador with UNICEF. The author perfectly describes Audrey’s grace, style, and compassion.

This is one of the best picture book biographies I’ve read. I wish I had met her. I love this book.

Jackie packs a powerful punch!

I was drawn to this highly entertaining and informative picture book about his early years and his strict training at the China Drama Academy. He was there for ten years, and survived the tougher than tough18 hour days! I laughed at his very first real-life stunt, which must have inspired his movie stunts, youthful hijinks, and fearlessness when it came to taking risks.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet Jackie several times so this was a must-read for me.

First of all, Nia Vardalos is just hilarious. She could write an Ikea assembly brochure and it would probably be side-splitting. But in the book, she tells about being a rising star (a great story on its own) who had it all – except a baby. After a grueling battle with infertility, she eventually came around to the idea of adoption, and started to learn more about the fost-adopt process of taking an older child who is unlikely to reunite with their original family. With great heart, she tells the roller-coaster story of bringing a 3-year-old with attachment challenges into her life—and the inevitable universality of motherhood. “Nothing prepared me for the life I would feel for my child. Nothing prepared me for how quickly it happened for me. And here’s what I just figure out now: no one is ever prepared. In a way, we’re all instant moms.” She’s… show more.